How To Add Public Speaking Skills On Resume

Did you know using public speaking skills on your resume can improve your chances of bagging your dream job by 70%, or is it a skill you have yet to use? 

Often overlooked but valuable, public speaking goes beyond addressing an audience; it showcases persuasive communication and engagement. Adding these skills to your resume significantly enhances your job prospects. 

Employers across industries value confident presenters who can influence others positively. It is important to note that public speaking doesn’t necessarily require a formal platform, so let’s start by understanding the importance of adding public speaking skills on your resume.

Importance Of Public Speaking on Your Resume

Public speaking cultivates good communication skills by encouraging clear articulation, effective delivery, and active listening, ultimately enhancing interpersonal interactions. Public speaking holds significant importance on your resume due to the following reasons:

• Leadership potential: Public speaking reflects your leadership qualities as it requires commanding attention, guiding others, and taking charge of a situation. Employers seek individuals who can lead and inspire their teams.

• Presentation skills: Public speaking demonstrates your proficiency in delivering engaging and impactful presentations, a valuable asset in various professional settings. You can use it for corporate presentations or government meetings.

• Confidence And Poise: Being a competent public speaker reflects self-assurance and poise, qualities that can positively influence how you handle challenging situations in the workplace.

• Persuasive communication: A strong public speaker can effectively persuade and influence others, a crucial skill in negotiations, sales, and client interactions.

• Public representation: In specific roles, employees represent their organizations in public events, conferences, or media appearances. Being a skilled public speaker enhances the organization’s reputation and credibility.

In the next section, you will learn 5 ways where you can highlight public speaking skills in your resume.

5 Ways To Highlight Public Speaking Skills In Your Resume

In a competitive job market, your resume is your gateway to success. Learn how to stand out by effectively highlighting your public speaking and writing skills.

1. In Experience Section

Look back on your academic, professional, or personal life for instance keynote addresses where you engaged in public speaking in front of large groups and showcased organizational abilities. Provide context to demonstrate the significance of each event. 

Highlight your skills in articulating the purpose of your speeches, effectively engaging target audiences, and showcasing the tangible impact generated by public speaking engagements, all contributing to a comprehensive public speaking skill set featured on your resume.

2. In Achievements Section

This adds weight to your expertise, underscoring your effectiveness as a communicator. It’s a testament to your influence and resonance as a speaker.

Provide details and achievements: Include specifics such as the event name, date, location, and topic of your presentation. Additionally, mention any notable achievements or feedback received. 

Highlight public speaker skills and speaking course: Including public speaking training on your resume showcases proactive self-improvement and commitment to honing speaking abilities, demonstrating value to employers who appreciate personal and professional development.

3. In Skills Section

Integrating your public speaking experiences into the “Experience” section further emphasizes the significance of this skill in your career.

Showcase public speaking as a core skill: Describe how you utilize your public speaking abilities to achieve positive outcomes in your previous roles. Use strong action verbs and quantifiable results to make your accomplishments as public speakers stand out.

Showcase communication skills: Public speaking is a testament to your communication prowess. Good communication skills are vital and sought after by employers in almost every industry. This helps you create personal connections with your colleagues. 

Showcase problem-solving skills: Public speaking often involves thinking on your feet and addressing unexpected challenges. Use this opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills, organizational abilities, and how technical skills can you effectively handle pressure in various situations.

Showcase leadership skills: Employers seek candidates who can inspire and motivate others; public speaking provides an excellent platform for demonstrating team leadership and project management. Use your public speaking experiences to showcase your leadership abilities.

4. In Reference Section

Contact individuals who have witnessed your speaking abilities to bolster your credibility as a skilled public speaker. 

Request recommendations: Request recommendations that specifically highlight your public speaking prowess in front of a broader audience. These personal endorsements add an authentic touch to your resume and can significantly influence the hiring decision.

Adding a testimonial section: Testimonials provide additional evidence of your communication skills, interpersonal skills, and presentation abilities. Consider adding a “Testimonials” section to your resume, featuring brief quotes or endorsements from those you have spoken to. 

5. Create A Dedicated “Public Speaking” Section

Creating a dedicated section for a public speaking job or speaker resume solely for your public speaking experience highlights the significance of your speaking skills in your professional profile and attracts the attention of potential employers.

Organize your public speaker resume effectively: Use a clear and distinct heading, such as “Public Speaking Experience“, “Public Speaker Resume” or “Speaking Engagements and Workshops.” 

Tailor your resume for each job application: To optimize your public speaker resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS) tailor it for each job application. Carefully read the job description and identify keywords related to public speaking, such as “presentation skills,” “public speaking,” “verbal communication,” “confident speaker,” and more. Incorporate these keywords throughout your resume, especially in your summary, experience, and skills sections.

Best Way To Create A Resume

Creating an impressive resume begins with careful structuring. 

• Start by selecting a clean, professional format that places your most relevant information upfront. 

• Include a concise yet compelling summary statement highlighting your essential skills and experiences. 

• Incorporate specific sections such as ‘Skills’, ‘Experience’, ‘Education’, and ‘Achievements’. 

• Ensure your ‘Skills’ section aligns with the job description, and in ‘Experience’, provide evidence of these relevant skills in action. 

• Incorporate quantifiable achievements to validate your claims. 

• Fine-tune your language, using power verbs and industry-specific jargon to convey your capabilities confidently. 

• Lastly, proofread meticulously for any errors or inconsistencies. 

Remember, your resume represents your professional persona; ensure it effectively communicates your unique value.

In conclusion, adding public speaking skills to your resume can give you a competitive advantage in the job market. It showcases your proven ability to communicate effectively, confidently lead, and engage audiences. You can even create great resume templates using websites like ResumeBuild and NovoResume. By following the steps in this blog and crafting a well-structured and keyword-optimized resume, you enhance your chances of impressing potential employers with your public speaking prowess.